LEGISLATION HIGHLIGHTS HOUSE REPUBLICANS FIGHT FOR REASONABLE LAWS AMIDST DEMOCRATS' DESIRE TO BE EXTREMISTS ON ABORTION“Well done my good and faithful servants!” Matthew 25:21 I’m so proud of my friends and State Representatives Krista Knudsen and Natalie Zeleznikar who presented these Bills, HF 24 (Born Alive Act) and HF 25 (Supporting Women Act) on the House floor Thursday night. The “Born Alive Act” was very simple and reinstated language that in the case of a baby being born alive during an abortion there would be a legal requirement to give that baby life-preserving medical care. In 2023, the Democrats changed the wording of this law to give “comfort care”. Natalie’s Bill, “Supporting Women Act” – also was a simple ask, it was reinstating funding to pregnancy centers around Minnesota which the Democrats stripped away in 2023 with their trifecta. In my mind, if they want to call themselves the party of “Pro-Choice” then they should be required to live up to that title that they have given themselves. With their new extremist abortion laws, they have stripped away all “choices” for a new mother and an unplanned pregnancy except for one single choice, abortion. That is not just political rhetoric, Minnesota Democrats provide Planned Parenthood $24 million per year. Before 2023, pregnancy centers received $4 million and instead of allowing this funding to be restored and to given women real choices, the Democrats on the House floor vilified these Pregnancy Centers who do so much good work caring for mother’s, offering both financial help, classes on parenting and breastfeeding, and providing material things such as car seats and diapers. My husband, Kevin, serves as a Board Member on the First Choice Clinic out of Red Wing and it was disgusting for me to hear how they insulted the good and honorable work that these clinics provide for local families. Click here to watch my speech on the House Floor speaking about this legislation. I think you will pick up on my level of disgust. The majority of Minnesotans (over 80%) support common sense legislation around abortion and other options. Sadly, the radical elected MN Dems showed once-again they don’t stand with the majority, but choose to stand with their large campaign donors like Planned Parenthood who profit from the only choice being “abortion” (So sad!!!) I look forward to a future in that we change our culture to love, cherish and respect, babies, mothers, fathers and rebuild strong families! STATE’S ECONOMIC CONDITION CONTINUES TO DECLINELast session, an all Democrat-led legislature and Governor Walz made the reckless decision to waste our $18 billion budget surplus, raise taxes by $10 billion, and grow government spending by almost 40%. Who could have guessed these decisions would send Minnesota spiraling into a future deficit? (Hint: every Republican lawmaker that served in the legislature last session, as we warned of it at every turn). Minnesota’s financial experts gave us some sobering news recently, and the numbers show our economy continues to decline. The latest projection found our state will see a $456 million budget surplus for the upcoming budget cycle. In December, budget analysts thought we’d see a $616 million surplus. A year ago, they thought we’d have a $1.7 billion surplus. But it’s the next budget cycle that is disastrous. There, the projected budget deficit has grown significantly, from a $5.1 billion projection in December to what is now a $6 billion deficit. That total would rival, if not exceed the largest deficit in our state’s history. The Democrats are claiming that this is somehow President Trump’s problem. This despite the fact that a $5.1 billion deficit was projected in early December, nearly two months before he took office, so it was clear the majority party already had us on the path of destruction. Just laugh at this Democrat attempt to shirk responsibility. Instead of acting like reasonable adults, Democrats acted like kids with money burning a hole in their pants pocket. And because of their actions, an $18 billion surplus has been turned into a $6 billion deficit in just two years. DEMOCRATS AREN’T SERIOUS ABOUT STATEWIDE FRAUD PROBLEMLast year when Democrats were in complete control of government, they refused to investigate any of the numerous fraud issues that have come to light. To date, Minnesota taxpayers have had more than $610 million stolen from them through fraud, and some estimate the total is well above $1 billion. Votes taken this week on the House floor show they still are in denial over the fraudulent activity taking place repeatedly in this state. One bill debated this week would establish “fraud notes,” providing legislators with an evaluation of potential fraud risks before enacting any new program or policy. It would also add additional accountability to agencies to ensure they are following through with recommendations made by the nonpartisan Legislative Auditor to address matters of waste, fraud, and abuse in their agencies. Sadly, every House Democrat opposed it, and it failed to pass the House by one vote. A separate proposal adding protection for whistleblower state employees who come forward to expose government fraud and mismanagement also failed by one vote after every House Democrat voted against it. Instead of standing with those who are working to safeguard taxpayer dollars, Democrats are refusing provide safeguards that would increase transparency and accountability. LOCAL VISITORSIt was good to visit with local school officials Ariana Wright, Michelle Larson and Terese Bjornstad at the Capitol this week!  Thank you for stopping by! |